Hubert PIERLOTPrime
Minister
of the Belgian Government in Exile
London 1940-1944

After
the cease-fire in Belgium, on May 28 1940, the Belgian Government
continued the fight against Nazi Germany at the side of the
French.

Once
France was also defeated the Belgian Government, at first, didn't
know how to continue.

It
was only after several months that they finally decided to
continue to fight
at the side of the United Kingdom.

Only
4 Ministers went to the United Kingdom in 1940 :
Prime Minister Hubert PIERLOT
Minister Paul Henri SPAAK
Minister August DE VLEESSCHAUWER
Minister Camille GUTT.

London,
July 21st 1942, ceremony for the National Day of Belgium.
From right to left : Lieutenant-General DEAUFRESNES DE LA
CHEVALERIE,
Mr ROLIN vice Secretary of Defence,
Mr GUTT Minister of Economic Affairs
Mr Paul-Henri SPAAK Minister of Foreign Affairs

Once
they arrived in London the decision was taken
to reorganise the Belgian Forces in the United Kingdom.

Pilots
and airmen were integrated in the RAF,
Navy personnel was integrated in the Royal Navy,
and Army men were organised into several smaller units.

After
creating the 1st Battalion Belgian Fuseliers in the United
Kingdom,
other units were raised,
such as the Belgian Commando Troop of the 10th Inter-Allied
Commando,
the Belgian Independant Parachute Company,
and several other small units.

The
Belgian Government in Exile also signed several agreements with
the Allies,
confirming the will to fight against Nazi Germany until the end
of the conflict.

London,
Wellington Barracks, July 21st 1943, Belgian National Day.
Prime Minister Hubert PIERLOT is inspecting the Royal
Navy Belgian Section - Detachment.
Behind the PM is Lieutenant-General VAN STRIJDONCK DE
BURKEL,
Inspector General of the Belgian Forces in the United
Kingdom.

At
the beginning of 1944 Belgium had two RN corvettes and a RN
minesweepers flottila,
two RAF Fighter Squadrons 349 and 350,
a Commando Troop, a SAS Company,
the 1st Belgian Independant Group called "Brigade Piron",
and a lot of individuals dispersed among the English Forces.

Many
of them gave their live fighting against Nazi Germany.

On
September 8 1944 the Belgian Government returned to liberated
Belgium,
after more then 4 years in exile.

The
Government immediately started with the implementation of the
international agreements.

London,
September 8th 1944, a crowd is waiting
for the departure of the Belgian Government in exile
to liberated Belgium.